Analyte meter including an RFID reader

ABSTRACT

A glucose monitoring system, includes a glucose sensor strip or package of strips. The strip includes a substrate and a glucose monitoring circuit that has electrodes and a bodily fluid application portion of selected chemical composition. An antenna is integrated with the glucose sensor strip. A RFID sensor chip is coupled with the glucose sensor strip and the antenna. The chip has a memory containing digitally-encoded data representing calibration and/or expiration date information for the strip.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/852,276, filed Mar. 28, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/342,715, filed Jan. 3, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.8,410,939, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/476,921, filed Jun. 2, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,106,780, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/350,398, filed Feb.7, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,545,272, which claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. provisional patent applications Nos. 60/650,912, filedFeb. 8, 2005 and 60/701,654, filed Jul. 21, 2005, which are incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes care involves periodically checking the blood glucose level ofa bodily fluid such as blood. Based on the measured bodily fluid level,a diabetic may take one or more steps such as injecting insulin orconsuming carbohydrates to bring the level back to a desired level.

Glucose Meters

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional blood glucose meter 100 (see U.S.Design Pat. No. D393,313, which is hereby incorporated by reference).The meter 100 includes a test strip slot 102, a display 104 and one ormore operational buttons 106. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the meter100 also includes component circuitry for receiving signals that dependon the glucose level of a fluid applied to a strip that is inserted intothe slot 102, and component circuitry for determining the glucose levelbased on the received signals. FIG. 2 illustrates a blood glucose meter200 with display 104 and operational buttons 106, and also having aglucose test strip 202 inserted into a slot 102 for testing a body fluidsample applied to the strip 202.

Glucose Sensors

Small volume (e.g., less than 0.5 microliter), in vitro, electrochemicalsensors are used with Freestyle® and Freestyle Flash™ glucose meters(see the website located by placing http:// directly precedingabbottdiabetescare.com, which is hereby incorporated by reference).These test strip sensors generally include a working electrode on afirst substrate, a counter (or counter/reference) electrode on a secondsubstrate, and a sample chamber. The sample chamber is configured sothat when a sample (e.g., of blood) is provided in the chamber, thesample is in electrolytic contact with both the working electrode, thecounter electrode and any reference electrodes or indicator electrodesthat may be present. This allows electrical current to flow between theelectrodes to effect the electrolysis (electrooxidation orelectroreduction) of the analyte. A spacer is generally positionedbetween first substrate and second substrate to provide a spacingbetween electrodes and to provide the sample chamber in which the sampleto be evaluated is housed.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrates one of these test strips (see U.S. Pat. No.6,942,518, which is assigned to the same assignee as the presentapplication, and is hereby incorporated by reference). Thisconfiguration is used for side-filling, and end-filling is analternative. FIG. 3A illustrates a first substrate 340 with a workingelectrode 342. FIG. 3B illustrates a spacer 344 defining a channel 346.FIG. 3C (inverted with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B) illustrates a secondsubstrate 348 with three counter (or counter/reference) electrodes 350,352, 354. This multiple counter electrode arrangement can provide a fillindicator function, as described below. The length of the channel 346 istypically defined by the two parallel cuts along the sides 356, 358 ofthe sensors.

Glucose test strip sensors can be manufactured adjacent to one another,as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B. Such positioning during manufactureproduces less waste material. This often results in better efficiency ascompared to other techniques, such as individually placing componentswithin the individual channels of test strip sensors.

General Method for Manufacturing Glucose Sensors

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the processing of a sheet 1000 of test strips.Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, one example of a method for makingthin film sensors is generally described, and can be used to make avariety of sensor arrangements. When the three layers of the test stripsof FIGS. 3A-3C, e.g., are assembled, a sensor is formed.

In FIGS. 4A and 4B, a substrate 400, such as a plastic substrate, ismoving in the direction indicated by the arrow. The substrate 400 can bean individual sheet or a continuous roll on a web. Multiple sensors canbe formed on a substrate 400 as sections 422 that have workingelectrodes thereon and sections 424 that have counter electrodes andindicator electrodes thereon. These working, counter and indicatorelectrodes are electrically connected to corresponding traces andcontact pads. Typically, working electrode sections 422 are produced onone half of substrate 400 and counter electrode sections 424 areproduced on the other half of substrate 400. In some embodiments, thesubstrate 400 can be scored and folded to bring the sections 422, 424together to form the sensor. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG.4A, the individual working electrode sections 422 can be formed next toor adjacent each other on the substrate 400, to reduce waste material.Similarly, individual counter electrode sections 424 can be formed nextto or adjacent each other. In other embodiments, the individual workingelectrode sections 422 (and, similarly, the counter electrode sections424) can be spaced apart, as illustrated in FIG. 4B.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

RFID provides an advantageous technology for remotely storing andretrieving data using devices called RFID tags. A RFID tag is a smallobject, such as an adhesive sticker, that can be attached to orincorporated into a product. There are passive and active RFID tags.Passive RFID tags are small devices that are generally used at shorterrange and for simpler tracking and monitoring applications than activetags. Passive tags generally act over ranges up to 3-5 meters, and a fewhundred are typically readable simultaneously within three meters of areader. Because they are powered by radio waves from RFID tag reader,passive tags do not use a battery. Therefore these devices are generallyinexpensive and smaller than active tags, and can last long. Active RFIDtags have a power source, such as a battery, and generally have longerrange and larger memories than passive tags. For example, active tagsgenerally act over ranges up to 100 meters, and thousands of tags aretypically readable simultaneously within 100 meters of a reader. Formore details on passive and active RFID tags, see the website located byplacing http:// directly preceding RFID-Handbook.com, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

RFID System

An RFID system generally includes a RFID tag and RFID reader. A RFID tagincludes an antenna and digital memory chip. A RFID reader, also calledan interrogator, includes an antenna and a transceiver, and emits andreceives RF signals. RFID readers can read tags and can typically writedata into the tags. For example, FIG. 5 schematically illustratescomponent circuitry of a passive RFID tag. A transceiver/receiver 502 ofa RFID reader 505 is directionally coupled 504 to an antenna 506 of thereader 505. An RFID transponder 510 includes an antenna 512 (e.g., adipole antenna) and memory 514.

It is desired to incorporate RFID tag technology into glucose teststrips, test strip vials and/or boxes of strips. It is also desired toincorporate RFID reader into glucose meters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A glucose monitoring system includes a glucose sensor strip or packageof strips. The strip includes a substrate and a glucose monitoringcircuit that has electrodes and a bodily fluid application portion ofselected chemical composition. An antenna is integrated with the glucosesensor strip. A RFID sensor chip is coupled with the glucose sensorstrip and the antenna. The chip has a memory containingdigitally-encoded data representing calibration and/or expiration dateinformation for the strip.

The antenna may be a loop antenna that has a conducting loop extendingaround substantially a perimeter of the substrate and has two endscoupled with the chip. A RFID reader may read, power and/or program thechip. The RFID reader may be integrated with a glucose meter that has aport for inserting the strip and measuring a glucose level.Alternatively, a glucose meter may include a RFID reader as a component.The calibration and/or expiration date data may be automatically readwhen the strip is inserted into the port of the glucose meter. The chipmay include a battery or other power source, or may be a passive chip.The memory may also contain data representing a lot number of the strip,manufacture date for the strip, a type of strip, and/or a calibrationcode. The RFID sensor chip may operate at 13.56 MHz. The calibrationdata may include chemical composition information for the strip foraccurately computing a glucose level based on the chemical composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional blood glucose meter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a blood glucose meter having a strip inserted into aslot for testing a body fluid sample applied to the strip.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a conventional test strip.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the processing of a sheet of test strips.

FIG. 5 illustrates a conventional passive RFID tag.

FIG. 6 illustrates a glucose test strip including a RFID chip andantenna in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a glucose test strip in accordance with apreferred embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a RFID chip mounted on a glucose test strip inaccordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a communication system including a glucose test stripand a RFID reader in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a RFID chip mounted on a package for holding glucosetest strips in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a glucose meter communicating with a RFID tag thatis mounted on a package or box of glucose test strips in accordance witha preferred embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a glucose meter communicating with a RFID tag thatis mounted on a glucose test strip in accordance with a preferredembodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a line graph of blood glucose data generated by anintegrated glucose monitoring apparatus according to a preferredembodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates pie charts of blood glucose data generated by anintegrated glucose monitoring apparatus and displayed on a displayscreen 166 according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a glucose data handling system software according toa preferred embodiment in block diagram form. A measurement module (90),glucose strip (92), personal digital assistant (PDA) (Palm OS) (94),(PC) (Windows 95+), monitor (98), keyboard (101), compact disk (CD)(102), and printer (104) are shown in block diagram form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A RFID sensor is advantageously coupled with a blood glucose test stripor with a group of strips in accordance with a preferred embodiment. TheRFID sensor preferably includes calibration and/or expiration dateinformation for the strips. The calibration information preferablyincludes information relating to the chemical composition of the strip,so that a blood glucose reading can be accurately computed from areading obtained using the strip with the particular chemicalcomposition.

In one embodiment, an individual strip includes a RFID sensor. FIG. 6illustrates a glucose test strip 600, e.g., a Freestyle® test stripmanufactured by Abbott Diabetes Care of Alameda, Calif., that includes aRFID chip 602, which is mounted on a PCB substrate 603 or other suitablesubstrate, and an antenna 604, in accordance with a preferredembodiment. The antenna 604 may be a loop antenna, or a dipole antenna,or another antenna configuration.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a Freestyle® or other glucose test strip600 including a sample application end 601, with sample chamber andelectrodes, a RFID chip 602 in accordance with a preferred embodiment.The RFID chip 602 is mounted on a PCB substrate 603 that is attached to,integral with or part of the strip 600. There is a top-side loop antenna708 and a bottom side loop antenna 710. FIG. 8 illustrates a RFID chip602 mounted on a glucose test strip 600 in accordance with anotherembodiment.

Preferably a RFID reader programs the RFID sensor with the calibrationdata and/or powers the RFID sensor. The RFID reader may be integratedwith a blood glucose meter, or the meter may include an RFID reader as acomponent. FIG. 9 illustrates a communication system including a RFIDreader 902 and a tag 904 in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Thereader 902 includes a reader antenna 903. The tag 904 may be coupledwith a glucose test strip or with a package or box of strips. The tag904 includes a substrate 906, tag antenna 908 and RFID chip 910. Thereader 902 sends a radio wave that impinges upon the tag 904. Abackscattering radio wave is propagated back from the tag 904 as aresult.

FIG. 10 illustrates a RFID chip mounted on a package for holding glucosetest strips in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The packageillustrated is a lid of a vial container of several tens of test strips.Preferably, each of the test strips in the vial was manufactured on asame sheet of strips, such that the chemical compositions of the stripsare very similar and that the strips have a common expiration date.

Meters Equipped with a RFID Tag Reader (or Vice-Versa)

In accordance with another advantageous embodiment, a RFID tag reader orinterrogator may be adapted for providing glucose testing. As such, atest strip receptacle and glucose measurement circuitry and/orprogramming may be provided in a glucose meter module that plugs into aRFID reader device or is integrated therein or otherwise communicatesdata and/or power by cable or multi-pin connection, or wirelessly (atleast for the data communication) with the RFID reader. The glucosemeter module can use the power and processing capabilities of thereader, thus streamlining the meter module compared with a stand-alonemeter. Even data storage for both the reader and meter may be combinedinto one location or otherwise synchronized.

In another embodiment, a glucose meter may be adapted for providing RFIDreading and/or writing. A RFID reader may be provided that plugs into aglucose meter or is integrated therein or otherwise communicates dataand/or power by cable, or multi-pin connection, or wirelessly (at leastfor the data communication) with the glucose meter. The RFID reader canuse the power and processing capabilities of the meter, thusstreamlining the RFID reader module compared with a stand-alone reader.Even data storage for both the reader and meter may be combined into onelocation or otherwise synchronized.

Human errors are advantageously prevented by automatically retrieving acalibration code of one or more test strips stored in a RFID tag.Expiration date information for the test strip can also be detected fromthe tag. Different types of test strips can also be detected, which isadvantageous particularly for different strips that appear alike and/orthat may be used with a same piece of diabetes care equipment. Severalother possible types of data may be stored in and read from a RFID tag,which may be used alone and/or may be combined with other diabetes caredata to enhance the reliability of a diabetes treatment regimen,including the recording, retrieval and/or use of relevant data (see,e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/112,671 (U.S. Publication No.2003/0176183) and Ser. No. 11/146,897 (U.S. Publication No.2006/0010098), which are assigned to the same assignee and are herebyincorporated by reference). Embodiments disclosed in the Ser. No.10/112,671 (U.S. Publication No. 2003/0176183) application, and in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,899,855, 5,735,285, 5,961,451, 6,159,147 and 5,601,435,which are hereby incorporated by reference, describe alternativearrangements for combining functionalities of devices that may bemodified for use with an advantage glucose meter and RFID readercombination in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,855 indicates, for example, that relativelyeasy-to-use blood glucose monitoring systems have become available thatprovide reliable information that allows a diabetic and his or herhealthcare professional to establish, monitor and adjust a treatmentplan (diet, exercise, and medication). More specifically,microprocessor-based blood glucose monitoring systems are being marketedwhich sense the glucose level of a blood sample that is applied to areagent-impregnated region of a test strip that is inserted in theglucose monitor. When the monitoring sequence is complete, the bloodglucose level is displayed by, for example, a liquid crystal display(LCD) unit.

Additional display functionalities are described in U.S. Publication No.2003/0176183, which relates to a blood glucose monitor and datamanagement and display device integrated as a synchronous, handheldunit, as an effective diabetes management tool. U.S. Publication No.2003/0176183 indicates, for example, that a display component of anintegrated glucose monitoring apparatus may be a touchscreen and may beconfigured to function with touchscreen software and electronics.

U.S. Publication No. 2003/0176183 also describes a data managementapplication. The data management application generally provides graphicrepresentations and/or text summaries of data relevant to diabetesmanagement.

U.S. Publication No. 2003/0176183 indicates that the data managementapplication may be configured to allow the user to view data summariesin graphical and text formats. The user may be able to select the lengthof time to be viewed. The user may also be able to set a default lengthof time to be viewed from within user preferences. The user may be ableto view a complete data set or filter the screen display to show only aselected time period to view. The user may be able to select the eventtype to be displayed, more than one event type may be selected to bedisplayed simultaneously. Glucose summary statistics may be displayed bya selected date range and time period. Both selected date range and timeperiod may appear on the display. The summary statistics may include thenumber of measurements, the highest measurement, the lowest measurement,the average measurement, the standard deviation of the measurements, thepercentage of measurements within the target range, the percentage ofmeasurements above the target range, the percentage of measurementsbelow the target range, and insulin and carbohydrate statistics summary.Graphical summaries may also be provided such as line graphs and piecharts (see FIGS. 13-14).

U.S. Publication No. 2003/0176183 indicates that the data managementapplication may be configured to issue “alerts”. These alerts may bewarnings directed to the user that are audible, or otherwise sensorysuch as by vibration, and displayed with graphics and/or text using thedisplay screen.

The integrated glucose monitoring apparatus described in U.S.Publication No. 2003/0176183 may generate, for example, a line graph ofblood glucose data generated by an integrated glucose monitoringapparatus according to a preferred embodiment. The line graph of FIG. 13shows glucose levels according to the date that the glucose level wastaken. As shown, a glucose level that was recorded on November 5 ataround 500 mg/dL is labeled as being “Hi” while a glucose level recordedon October 21 at around 20 mg/dL is labeled as “Lo”. A range betweenaround 80 mg/dL and 140 mg/dL is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 13suggesting an optimal glucose level range.

FIG. 14 illustrates pie charts of blood glucose data generated by anintegrated glucose monitoring apparatus according to a preferredembodiment. The graphs show the percentage of readings that are below,within or above target. For example, chart (a) shows that overall 39% ofthe time the readings are within target or within the optimal glucoselevel range of FIG. 13. Charts (b)-(g) show the percentages of readingsthat are below, within or above target pre-breakfast, pre-lunch,pre-dinner, post-breakfast, post-lunch and post-dinner, respectively.The user can understand his or her glucose level trends from thesegraphs.

U.S. Publication No. 2003/0176183 indicates that the integrated glucosemonitoring apparatus described therein may be configured to HotSync witha PC for transmitting data to a PC. The integrated glucose monitoringapparatus may also transmit data by wireless RF and/or IR connection toa remote or host client or server computer. The integrated glucosemonitoring apparatus also preferably has internet connectability or isotherwise configured for logging into a network for transmitting andreceiving data from the network.

U.S. Publication No. 2003/0176183 also indicates that applications maybe downloaded to the integrated glucose monitoring apparatus or anotherdevice from a PC or a server or other digital data storage device suchas a CD-rom or magnetic disk.

U.S. Publication No. 2003/0176183 also indicates that the hand-heldprocessing device component of the integrated glucose monitoringapparatus may be configured for serial port or USB connection to a PCsystem. See, e.g., FIG. 15.

FIG. 11 illustrates a glucose meter 1100 sending radio waves 1101 forcommunicating with a RFID tag (not specifically shown) that is mountedon a package such as a vial 1104 or a box 1106 of glucose test strips inaccordance with preferred embodiments. In a first embodiment, a RFIDsensor is coupled with a package or vial container 1104 of glucose teststrips. The container 1104 may have a lid 1108 with the RFID sensorattached on its inside surface, or embedded therein, or mounted on theoutside with a protective layer affixed over it, or alternatively on thebottom of the container 1104 or otherwise. In another embodiment, thestrips are contained within a box 1102 having a RFID tag mountedpreferably on the inside of the box to protect the tag, or alternativelyon the outside having a protective layer over it.

Containers 1102 or 1104 preferably include only strips from a same sheetof strips having same or similar chemical compositions and expirationdates. One strip may be tested from the sheet, while the remainingstrips are placed into the container. The rest of the strips that areplaced in the container and not tested will reliably have the same orvery similar chemical composition as the tested strip. The RFID sensormay be read only, or may also be write programmable. The data containedwithin the memory of the RFID sensor preferably includes calibrationdata regarding the chemical compositions of the strips in the container1102, 1104 which are each estimated to have the same chemicalcomposition as the test strip, and expiration date data for the strips,which should be the same for all of the strips that were manufactured onthe same sheet at the same time. In accordance with another embodiment,FIG. 12 illustrates a glucose meter 1200 communicating with a RFID tagusing radio waves 1201 that is mounted on a glucose test strip 1202 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment.

RFID Frequency Band Allocation

Multiple frequency bands are available for RFID communication inaccordance with preferred embodiments. For example, there is a lowfrequency band around 125 kHz-134 kHz. There is a worldwide standardhigh frequency band around 13.56 MHz. There are also UHF frequency bandsaround 868 MHz for European Union countries, and around 902 MHz-928 MHzfor the United States. There is also a microwave frequency band around2.45 GHz.

It is preferred to use the worldwide standard around 13.56 MHz as thefrequency band of operation in accordance with a preferred embodiment.This is the most popular frequency band, and a silicon-based RFID chipoperating at this frequency band may be provided at low cost. Thisfrequency band has a high efficiency RF energy transition, and complieswith a world-wide RF standard.

Test Strip Coding and Meter Calibrating

Test strip coding and meter calibrating are the processes by which ablood glucose meter is matched with the reactivity of the test strips. Aglucose meter will calculate a glucose level of a fluid applied to astrip based on a predetermined chemical composition of the strip. If thepredetermined composition varies from the actual composition, thenglucose test results provided by the meter will also vary from actualglucose levels.

Even test strips intended to be manufactured with a same chemicalcomposition can vary based on uncertainties in the manufacturingprocess. Although this variance may be only very small when great careis taken in the manufacturing process, these very small variances canalter glucose measurement results that are output by a glucose meterfrom actual values unless the meter is properly calibrated. Asillustrated at FIGS. 4A-4B and described briefly above, multiple teststrips are advantageously manufactured together on a same sheet. Teststrips that are manufactured on a same sheet have reduced variances inchemical composition compared with test strip manufactured separately.Therefore, one strip from a sheet is advantageously tested in accordancewith a preferred embodiment to determine its precise composition. Then,blood glucose meters are calibrated according to that composition whenutilizing other strips from that same sheet for testing. As aconsequence, glucose testing results are more reliably precise andaccurate.

To ensure this precision and accuracy of glucose test results usingblood glucose meters in accordance with a preferred embodiment, thestrips may be coded, e.g., by the strip manufacturer before they areshipped out. In addition, the glucose meter is calibrated. Calibrationof the meter can be performed by inserting a code strip into the meterand executing a calibration routine. The Precision™ meter of AbbottDiabetes Care® preferably uses this technique. Another method ofcalibration can be performed by entering a code number into the meter.This technique is preferred for use with the Freestyle® meter also ofAbbott Diabetes Care®. Advantageously, the encoded calibration data canbe stored in the RFID chip described above that is affixed to a strip,or a vial, box or other container of strips. Enhanced efficiency andreliability is achieved whether an RFID chip is mounted to each strip orto a vial, box or other container of strips. However, when the RFID chipfrom which the encoded calibration data is read is affixed to the vial,box or other container of strips, and preferably all of the stripswithin that vial, box or other container were manufactured from the samesheet of strips, as described above, then even greater efficiency, i.e.,programming and use of a reduced number of RFID chips, is achieved.Advantageously, one RFID chip may be used for initially programming andfor later obtaining calibration data for multiple strips. Moreover,expiration date data may be stored and obtained in RFID chips with thesame efficiencies and advantages.

It is preferred to provide passive RFID tags on test strips, vials,boxes and/or other containers of strips. The preferred passive RFID tagscan store approximately two kilobytes of data or more. The memory of thepassive tag can be read and written repeatedly. In the memory, thefollowing are preferably stored: test strip calibration codes, lotnumber, manufacture date, expiration date, other calibrationinformation, or type of strip, or combinations thereof.

By using RFID tags, a test strip manufacturing process is advantageouslyupgraded. IN this embodiment, test strips are manufactured andpreferably packed directly into final packages in vials or boxes orother containers, instead of waiting, e.g., for two weeks, for labelingof calibration codes. The calibration codes are preferably written intothe RFID tags after the codes are determined. A lot group size of thetest strips can be broken into a smaller geometry to achieve a moreprecise uniformity of chemical reactivity code. Further data can bestored into RFID tags, as desired.

The calibration, expiration date and/or other diabetes care informationmay be provided in a RFID chip or module associated with glucose sensorsother than test strips and test strip containers. For example,continuous glucose sensors that may be implanted or partially in vivo orotherwise can include RFID features described otherwise herein. Inaddition, diabetes care devices other than glucose sensors such asinsulin pumps can use the RFID communication of data such as pumpcalibration data, insulin infusion data, computed or received dose dataor glucose data available at the pump. As to the latter feature, glucosedata may be communicated to a pump by a glucose meter, and then read bya RFID reader.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described aboveherein, which may be amended or modified without departing from thescope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims, andstructural and functional equivalents thereof.

In methods that may be performed according to preferred embodimentsherein and that may have been described above and/or claimed below, theoperations have been described in selected typographical sequences.However, the sequences have been selected and so ordered fortypographical convenience and are not intended to imply any particularorder for performing the operations.

In addition, all references cited above herein, in addition to thebackground and summary of the invention sections, are herebyincorporated by reference into the detailed description of the preferredembodiments as disclosing alternative embodiments and components.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of determining a glucose level; themethod comprising: interrogating an in vivo implanted or partiallyimplanted glucose sensor comprising an RFID sensor chip with a devicecomprising an RFID reader to receive glucose data from the RFID sensorchip; receiving via circuitry of the device one or more signalsindicative of the glucose level; determining via the circuitry theglucose level based on the one or more signals to provide a determinedglucose level; and displaying the determined glucose level on a displayof the device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises aport for receiving an glucose test strip.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the RFID sensor chip is comprised by a continuous glucosesensor.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader is anintegrated element of the device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theRFID reader is a detachable component of the device.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, comprising communicating data from the RFID reader to thedevice through a multi-pin connection.
 7. The method of claim 1,comprising communicating data from the RFID reader to the devicewirelessly.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein data storage for the RFIDreader and the device are integrated into a single location.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, comprising operating the RFID sensor chip at about13.56 MHz.
 10. The method of claim 1, comprising operating the RFIDsensor chip at from about 125 kHz to about 134 kHz.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, comprising operating the RFID sensor chip at about 868 MHz. 12.The method of claim 1, comprising operating the RFID sensor chip atabout 2.45 GHz.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID sensor chipis an active sensor chip.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFIDsensor chip is a passive sensor chip.
 15. The method of claim 1, whereinthe RFID sensor chip comprises a memory comprising digitally-encodeddata.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the data is glucose data. 17.The method of claim 1, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display(LCD).
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the display comprises atouchscreen.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprisesdisplaying on the display a communication when the glucose levelindicates hyperglycemia.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the methodcomprises displaying on the display a communication when the glucoselevel indicates hypoglycemia.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein themethod comprises displaying on the display a communication when theglucose level indicates impending hyperglycemia.
 22. The method of claim1, wherein the method comprises displaying on the display acommunication when the glucose level indicates impending hypoglycemia.23. The method of claim 1, comprising determining trending of glucoselevel based at least in part on the determined glucose level.
 24. Themethod of claim 23, wherein the trending provides for a rate and/oracceleration of glucose level increase or decrease.
 25. The method ofclaim 23, comprising displaying on the display visual indicators ofglucose level trending to a user of the device.
 26. The method of claim1, comprising displaying on the display a visual representation ofglucose level over time to a user of the device.
 27. The method of claim1, wherein the device further comprises a communication unit.
 28. Themethod of claim 27, comprising wirelessly receiving data and/orapplication programs from a computer and/or network via thecommunication unit.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein thecommunication unit is configured for connection with the internet. 30.The method of claim 1, comprising connecting the device to a personalcomputer or hand-held computing device by serial port or USB connection.